as in harassment
the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another
the endless pestering finally drove me to study at the library
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in teasing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pestering
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
The strengths that those same opponents will spend long hours trying to account for — Nix’s pestering speed, a relentless pass-rush that produced a franchise-record 68 sacks, including four of Lance — aren’t changing either.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Hawke’s Hart holds serve in all of these scenes, motormouthing, pestering, insisting, utterly unable to help himself, sometimes in the most literal interpretation of the phrase.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the ewe who gave birth to her won't go away or stop pestering these human usurpers.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
There were almost no visible signs of this pestering affliction, which interfered with the rabbi’s sleep and therefore with his mental competence and his negotiation of daytime duties and professional matters.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Every day the press corps descended on both teams with pestering questions, some of which were obvious plants to promote products.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
The strengths that those same opponents will spend long hours trying to account for — Nix’s pestering speed, a relentless pass-rush that produced a franchise-record 68 sacks, including four of Lance — aren’t changing either.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Dec. 2025
Hawke’s Hart holds serve in all of these scenes, motormouthing, pestering, insisting, utterly unable to help himself, sometimes in the most literal interpretation of the phrase.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, the ewe who gave birth to her won't go away or stop pestering these human usurpers.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Schroder, who has a reputation for pestering opposing point guards, is the head of that spear.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
No kid brother tagging along, pestering him with questions, pushing up on his social circle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pestering
Noun
-
Many scenes take place at local grassroots organizations, such as the headquarters of Make the Road New York, where immigrants congregate to tell their stories and find solutions to problems such as acquiring an ID and avoiding police harassment.—
Vikram Murthi,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
-
According to Ruby, seven of the 20 or so churches in G92, a Christian immigrant advocacy coalition in the city, are ready to offer physical sanctuary, though many are avoiding publicity for fear of harassment.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Yes, keep track of who is being naughty or nice.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Your little girl was a little -- your littlest girl was a little naughty.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Carolyn charms everyone with her effortless teasing and joking around.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The affection between the pair is obvious, even over a Zoom call, and the conversation is peppered with moments of playful teasing and genuine warmth.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Scottish actor John Hannah was Evelyn’s troublemaking brother Jonathan.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Over the years, Greg has gotten into fights with his best friend Rowley and troublemaking brother Rodrick, he’s gone to summer camp and saved his school, even tried his hand (disastrously) at sports.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For a crafty afternoon, use wire cutters to cut metal hangers into smaller pieces and bend them into small shepherd’s hook shapes to decorate as plant markers.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Drake Powell provided one of the early highlights with five quick points off the bench, first burying a smooth step-back 3-pointer from the right wing, then following it with a crafty drive and physical finish moments later.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pestering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pestering. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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